Abstract
Two possible causes of the black hole illusion (BHI), lighting and distraction, were examined using distance estimations in nonpilots. In a computer-simulated cockpit environment, participants estimated distance across 2 lighting conditions and 3 levels of distraction. Participants significantly underestimated distance at night and overestimated distance during the day (p = .004). An interaction between lighting and distance from runway (p = .040) was suggestive of the BHI. Current findings help support the idea that lighting plays a significant role in the accuracy of distance estimation, possibly contributing to the BHI, and that BHI might result from a disruption of optic flow.